(PEDAL DOWN PROMOTIONS) August 20, 2019 – After turning in one of their best performances of the 2019 season with a hard-charging fourth-place showing just six days earlier at Angell Park Speedway in Sun Prairie, Wis., positive momentum eluded Paul Pokorski and his Pokorski Motorsports team in Plymouth Dirt Track Racing 360 Sprint Car action at The Plymouth Dirt Track at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Pokorski was among 31 PDTR 360 Sprint Car drivers signed in for the evening’s festivities, which also included past champions, autograph and kids backpack night activities.
After lining up fourth in the third 360 Sprint Car heat race, Pokorski fell back to sixth on the lap 2 when former PDTR champions Kurt Davis and Justin Miller slipped past. Pokorski regrouped to work his way past rookie Tyler Nelson on lap 4 to gain fifth place, which is where he finished the 10-lap race.
After missing out on making the top 16 in passing points to lock into the A main, Pokorski rolled off sixth in the 360 Sprint Car B Main needing a top-six finish to qualify for the A main. After a pair of red flags for flips involving Lance Fassbender on lap 4 and Nich Melis on lap 8, Pokorski restarted in the seventh spot just out of an A-main transfer spot.
The 27th-year driver used the high groove of the tacky, two-groove racing surface to power around Doug Wondra into sixth on lap 9 before moving past Tyler Brabant and Chris Clayton to seize fourth on lap 10. Clayton battled back in the closing laps to regain fourth and push Pokorski back to fifth at the finish, which was good enough to advance him to a starting spot in the A main.
The West Bend driver began the 25-lap 360 Sprint Car A main from the 21st starting spot and found himself falling a lap down to leader Kurt Davis on lap 10. The 2014 MSA Masters Series champion remained one lap behind the leaders throughout the remainder of the race. However, he was able to advance a few spots due to attrition before coming home 18th in a race won by Kurt Davis.
“Last night was a struggle for us on the racetrack,” Pokorski said. “Things just didn't fall right and we had the car set up too tight for the feature, which was my fault. We also had to do an emergency repair on the left front shock mount following the B main, which kind of added to the craziness. The results were pretty disappointing.
“I’ve got to say ‘thank you’ to Al Schlafer and the Tyler Brabant and Will Gerrits crews for their help in fixing the broken shock mount,” Pokorski said. “Lance Fassbender, Kevin Karnitz Motorsports and Tyler Nelson also helped us out in getting the car ready to go for the A main.”
Despite the lackluster result, all was not lost for Pokorski as he was recognized at intermission on past champions night for the Eastern Wisconsin Stock Car Winged Super Modified championships he won at Plymouth in 2003 and 2004. In addition, he was warmly greeted by a strong contingent of fans in the pit area after the races on autograph night.
“The high point for the evening was the great fan turnout for autograph night,” Pokorski said. “Lots of kids came into the pits and we had some nice conversations with some people we haven't seen in a while.”
The Pokorski Motorsports team is set to compete in a Midwest Sprint Car Association doubleheader this weekend.
On Friday, Aug. 23, the team will return to The Plymouth Dirt Track for a special Friday night Plymouth Dirt Track Racing program sponsored by Hopf Farms at the Sheboygan County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, Wis. Hot laps begin at 6:30 p.m. with racing scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
The following night, the team will take part in the first MSA event at the Beaver Dam Raceway in Beaver Dam, Wis. in five years. The last time the MSA took to the third-mile clay oval on April 26, 2014, Pokorski came home with the A-main victory. Joining the MSA 360 Sprints Cars on the card will be the Interstate Racing Association 410 Sprint Car Series. On-track activities begin at 6 p.m. with racing to follow at 6:30 p.m.
“This weekend should be fun,” Pokorski said. “I always like the two-day race weekends. It'll be good to get back to Beaver Dam Raceway. The racetrack is pretty fast and usually has a couple of grooves. I’m looking forward to some better results hopefully this weekend.”
Sponsors for the 2019 Pokorski Motorsports team are Hopf Farms, Petersen Septic Systems, Gasroots Project, Quest Engineering Inc., Acme Armature Works Inc., Goeden's Auto Body, Goodwin Racing Engines, Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Kettle Moraine Landscaping, Novak's Service Center, Pedal Down Promotions, Tisler Salvage Inc., Hagar’s Half-Pounder Cookies, Allied Bearing Corporation and The Cawley Company.
For more information on Pokorski Motorsports, check out Pokorski Motorsports on Facebook or visit www.pedaldownpromo.com.
Pokorski Motorsports Sponsor Showcase – Petersen Septic Systems
Since opening its doors in Valders, Wis. in 2012, Petersen Septic Systems LLC has provided premier septic tank service and the most reliable septic system installation and repair in Manitowoc and Two Rivers and the surrounding Lakeshore area.
“We offer our services to industrial, institutional, residential, new construction, commercial and municipal accounts,” Petersen Septic Systems Owner David Petersen said. “Customer service is our utmost priority. We do every job as it was in our own homes. Our experience is second to none in the area. Prior to opening the business, I worked for Tuschl Septic Systems from 2004 until owner Chuck Tuschl retired.”
The list of regular services Petersen Septic Systems offers includes septic pump repairs, test drilling/test boring, sewage treatment systems, septic tank removal, septic tank installation, water line repair, oil testing and perc testing.
“We provide all of these services in Manitowoc County and the surrounding areas,” Petersen said. “We are OSHA certified and are licensed MPRS/CST966051.”
Petersen Septic Systems is located at 7334 Nagel Road in Valders, Wis. For more information, call 920-323-2640, email petersenseptic@gmail.com or visit www.petersensepticsystems.com.
Pedal Down Promotions is a full-service public relations and media services company devoted to helping its clients effectively communicate with targeted audiences through press releases, newsletters, profile and feature articles, website and social media content development, printed media, editing and layout, graphic design and book publishing services.
For more information on Pedal Down Promotions, email pedaldownpromotions@gmail.com, visit www.pedaldownpromo.com or call 920-323-7970.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports Upcoming Schedule.
Friday, August 23 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, August 24 – Beaver Dam Raceway, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, August 31 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Saturday, September 14 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
Friday, September 27 – Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, Wis.
Saturday, September 28 – Plymouth Dirt Track, Plymouth, Wis.
2019 Pokorski Motorsports By The Numbers
Total Events – 21
MSA events – 20
IRA events - 1
A Main Victories – 0
B Main Victories – 1
Top Five A Main Finishes – 4
Top 10 A Main Finishes – 11
Heat Race Victories – 2